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06
Mar 2023
Last Updated: 06/03/2023
'We will carry him in our hearts forever' — family's tribute to Harrogate teen Seb Mitchell
Seb Mitchell.
The grieving family of 17-year-old Seb Mitchell, who died following an incident in Harrogate, have issued a photograph and a tribute to their 'beautiful, funny, talented boy'.
Harrogate Grammar School student Seb died in hospital on February 21 following the incident on Claro Road two days earlier.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear in court again in the near future, North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today.
The police statement included the family's tribute, which said:
“Seb was our beautiful, funny, talented boy.
“There are no words to describe how we feel now that he has been so cruelly taken from us.
“We will carry him in our hearts forever.”
Police social media plea
North Yorkshire Police also issued a plea urging people not to speculate on the incident.
"We are aware of social media posts naming the boy who has been charged and also speculating on the circumstances of Seb’s death.
"It is really important that nobody does this.
"This is because once someone has been charged with an offence, it is illegal to publish anything that could influence a jury and affect a person’s right to a fair trial. This includes claiming to know what happened or speculating about the circumstances of his death. Publishing includes uploading posts and comments to social media.
"Also, suspects who are under the age of 18 have anonymity in law. Therefore it is illegal to name them on social media as the suspect in a case.
"We would therefore strongly urge anyone who has posted comments or photos naming the suspect in the case or speculated about the circumstances, to remove them urgently."
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